Manifest Ambition: James K. Polk and Civil-Military Relations during the Mexican War (In War and in Peace: U.S. Civil-Military Relations)

This is not another chronological retelling of the Mexican War. Instead, it examines civil-military clashes during the war in light of Jacksonian politics and the American citizen-soldier tradition, looking at events that shed light on civilian authority over the military, as well as the far reaching impact of political ambition during this period (specifically, presidential power and the quest for the presidency). By 1848, Americans had come to realize that in their burgeoning democracy, generals and politicians could scarcely resist the temptation to use war for partisan gain. It was a lesson well learned and one that still resonates today. The Mexican War is known for the invaluable experience it provided to future Civil War officers and as an example of America's drive to fulfill her Manifest Destiny. Yet it was more than a training ground, more than a display of imperialism. Significantly, the Mexican War tested civilian control of the military and challenged traditional assumptions about the role of the army in American society. In so doing, it revealed the degree to which, by 1846, the harsh partisanships of the Jacksonian Era had impacted the American approach to war. This is not another chronological retelling of the Mexican War. Instead, it examines civil-military clashes during the war in light of Jacksonian politics and the American citizen-soldier tradition, looking both at events that shed light on civilian authority over the military and at the far reaching impact of political ambition during this period (specifically, presidential power and the quest for the presidency). In addition to politics, a host of others factors marred civil-military relations during the war, threatening U.S. victory. These included atrocities committed by Americans against Mexicans, disobedient officers, and inefficient U.S. military governors. In the end, as Manifest Ambition shows, Polk's ability to overcome his partisan leanings, his micro-management of the war effort, and his overall strategic vision, helped avoid both a prolonged occupation and the annexation of All Mexico. By 1848, Americans had come to realize that in their burgeoning democracy, generals and politicians could scarcely resist the temptation to use war for partisan gain. It was a lesson well learned and one that still resonates today. This Is Not Another Chronological Retelling Of The Mexican War. Instead, It Examines Civil-military Clashes During The War In Light. Of Jacksonian Politics And The American Citizen-soldier Tradition, Looking Both At Events That Shed Light On Civilian Authority Over The Military And At The Far Reaching Impact Of Political Ambition During This Period (specifically, Presidential Power And The Quest For The Presidency).--book Jacket. 1 Jacksonian America And The Coming Of The Mexican War 7 -- 2 State Feuds And Factious Jealousy 35 -- 3 All Whigs And Violent Partisans 59 -- 4 A Number Of Worthless Men 83 -- 5 I Was Once Viceroy 105 -- 6 Serving The Great Body Of The People 131 -- 7 The Mexican War In The American Civil-military Tradition 155 -- Documents 181 -- James K. Polk, Inaugural Address, 4 March 1845 181 -- James K. Polk, Message To Congress, 11 May 1846 183 -- Gaines Letter, Zachary Taylor To Edmund P. Gaines, 9 November 1846 189 -- William L. Marcy To Zachary Taylor, 27 January 1847 192 -- Zachary Taylor To William L. Marcy, 3 March 1847 192 -- Leonidas Letter, 16 September 1847 194 -- Thomas Hart Benton, Vindication Of The President Speech, 25 January 1847 196 -- Winfield Scott, Proclamation To The Good People Of Mexico, 11 April 1847 197 -- Winfield Scott, Proclamation To The Good People Of Mexico, 11 May 1847 198 -- Stephen W. Kearny, Proclamation To The Citizens Of New Mexico, By Colonel Kearny, Commanding The United States Forces, 31 July 1846 199 -- Stephen W. Kearny, Proclamation To The Inhabitants Of New Mexico By Brigadier General S.w. Kearny, Commanding The Troops Of The United States In The Same, 22 August 1846 199 -- John D. Sloat, Proclamation To The Inhabitants Of California, 7 July 1846 200 -- Robert F. Stockton, Proclamation To The People Of California, 17 August 1846 201 -- Robert F. Stockton, Proclamation To The People Of California, Undated 202 -- Robert F. Stockton To George Bancroft, 28 August 1846 202 -- Abraham Lincoln To William H. Herndon, 15 February 1848 203. John C. Pinheiro. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [217]-222) And Index. Contents......Page 8 Series Foreword......Page 10 Acknowledgments ......Page 12 Introduction......Page 14 1. Jacksonian America and the Coming of the Mexican War......Page 20 2. "State Feuds and Factious Jealousy"......Page 48 3. "All Whigs and violent partisans"......Page 72 4. "A Number of Worthless Men"......Page 96 5. "I was once viceroy"......Page 118 6. Serving "the Great Body of the People"......Page 144 7. The Mexican War in the American Civil-Military Tradition......Page 168 Documents......Page 194 Notes......Page 218 Selected Bibliography......Page 230 Index......Page 236 About the Author......Page 241 Pinheiro explores the power and perseverance of James K. Polk, who overcame the political intrigues of both members of his own Democratic party and the Whigs in Washington, D.C., as well as the challenges posed by many of his own commanding officers in the field, to lead the nation to victory during the Mexican War while establishing important precedents for future presidents seeking more expansive war powers